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Greater Shepparton City Council's wholesale destruction of hundreds of thirty year old trees and vegetation continues at Parkside Gardens. Several healthy olive trees have also been removed from the site dedicated to Greece. The area around the Philippine House is almost cleared. What a great example of Council's public health plan and commitment to our multi-cultural society.
On the first day of this massacre of our historical environment and displacement of birds and water animals, a large bus-load of holidaying Tatura children arrived for their first visit to the Gardens.
This visit was marred by the senseless bulldozing of trees and the subsequent dazed plight of the many water and tree birds.
The look on their faces, as with us who witness this senseless vandalism of our valued environment, will remain over the years. Phone calls and emails coming in daily indicate the stress incurred.
The saving feature on the day was a tour of the heritage listed Bangerang Cultural Centre. Thank you Kevin Atkinson, Cultural Officer. Also thanks to Bill Brown for taking a tour of Canberra visitors thru the Bangerang Cultural Centre Thursday 21st April as part of his long-term voluntary position at Greater Shepparton Tourist Information Centre.
On behalf of the tourists, he acknowledged Kevin's great Aboriginal traditional cultural story on the tour around the dioramas - one of a kind in Australia.
Bio-diversity, community health & well-being, conservation, guaranteed protection of flora & fauna be damned. Shame on State & Local Government authorites who are parties to this destruction.
These requests were given to the Minister for Planning & Heritage Rob Hulls representative at our deputation meeting – 17th March 2005.
Policy or Heritage Implications
What is the point of state convened Panel hearings, Heritage Council Registration hearings according to the relevant Acts of Parliament when it seems that Local Government as the responsible authority can dictate the terms and outcomes?
No Response!
Conflict of Interest
Many concerned members of this community have spoken of the apparent conflict of interest when the state government's business development arm submits to the responsible authority Greater Shepparton City Council when both are parties to A Deed of Agreement (Sept 2002) to residentially develop public open space.
Can this please be explained?
No Response!
VicUrban's renaming of the site "The Grove Lakeside"
Council's decision to rename the site "The Grove Lakeside" will be carried out by VicUrban thus extinguishing any heritage significance from the site now called Parkside Gardens and known by all as The International Village (this is still on the Town bus as a destination.) The name change will extinguish any heritage significance from the site. Can you please clarify this matter?
No Response!
This question was put to both Minister for Planning & Heritage Rob Hulls and Minister for Major Projects John Lenders (Minister responsible for VicUrban's projects):
Could the Minister please consider this:
Moreland City Council allows the beautiful Coburg Lake and environs to run down over a period of years. Council then offers the site to VicUrban to fill in the waterways and build on them and the land mass. This site is comparable to the former pristine International Village site and both continue to be enjoyed by the large multi-cultural communities of the municipalities.
How would a Council/VicUrban takeover bid of the Coburg site, enjoyed by many generations, be tolerated by the metropolitan community??
The State Labor Government has a stated commitment to Growing Victoria Together:
A state that has:
Thriving economy
Quality health and education
Healthy environment
Caring communities
Vibrant democracy
How about applying these principles to the Food Bowl of Australia and the green heart of Victoria?
We are feeling like the poor "country cousins" who live beyond the tram tracks!!!!
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